Assault rifle, more than 1 pound of meth found in Royal Oaks

ROYAL OAKS -- Two men were arrested Tuesday with 1.25 pounds of methamphetamine, marijuana, an assault rifle and more than $5,900 in cash during a raid.

The Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team served a search warrant about 7:15 a.m. at 16291 Apricot Lane in Royal Oaks, said Anti-Crime Team Cmdr. Robert Montes.

A search of the property and vehicles on it turned up 88.2 grams of marijuana, meth, a scale, spoons, packaging material and a loaded AR-15 assault rifle, Montes said.

Officers also found in the house two bulletproof vests, armor piercing bullets and $5,966 -- which authorities said came from drug sales.

Jesse Contreras, 45, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale, Montes said. Salvador Caballero, 32, was arrested on suspicion of possession drugs for sale and possession of a loaded firearm, according to authorities.

The pair were booked into Monterey County Jail. Caballero was placed on an immigration hold because authorities said he was in the country illegally.

Watsonville police, the California Highway Patrol and Department of Homeland Security participated in the raid.